In this episode of Learnings at Scale, Max sits down with Jean Dousset, noted jewelry designer and descendant of Louis Cartier. Jean Dousset’s namesake brand creates custom pieces for high-profile clients, including Eva Longoria and Paris Hilton. Dousset also pioneered the use of lab-grown diamonds in fine jewelry, making stones of the best cut and clarity available to a wider range of consumers. Discover how Dousset turned a small brand specializing in high jewelry into an industry disrupter.
Featured Chapter: The Lab-Grown Unlock
Jean Dousset built his name on exquisite, handcrafted jewelry, rooted in the traditions of the most prestigious houses in the world. When lab-grown diamonds came onto the market, Dousset decided to embrace them, ignoring the skepticism of his peers. Jean's story illustrates that sometimes, disruption is the key to unlocking greater creativity and achieving your vision on a larger scale. He recognized that lab-grown diamonds were the best way to provide exceptional quality and craftsmanship to a wider audience, without compromising his standards.
Full Episode
Jean Dousset carries Louis Cartier’s legacy by forging his own path. This episode explores his dedication to design, his commitment to quality, and the risks he took in uncertain times as he built his own namesake brand from scratch. Dousset balances fidelity to his original vision and standards with responsiveness to changes in the industry. Between the rise of e-commerce and the arrival of lab-grown diamonds, Dousset found a way to develop a forward-looking brand that is still uncompromisingly true to its core identity and mission.
Actionable Lessons:
- Curate, don't overwhelm: When offering choices, find out your customer’s price range and preferences before guiding them towards the best options. Too many choices can be paralyzing.
- Stay true to your vision: Even when scaling or facing market shifts, never compromise on the core values that define your brand.
- Embrace calculated risks: Disruption can be daunting, but it often leads to breakthroughs. Listen to your gut and be willing to evolve.
Episode Chapters:
- 00:00 Introduction to the Jewelry World
- 00:19 Family Legacy and Early Career
- 01:21 First Steps in High Jewelry Sales
- 03:45 Training and Craftsmanship
- 07:55 Developing a Unique Design Philosophy
- 12:00 Retail Challenges and Career Growth
- 27:57 The Impact of Online Diamond Sales
- 34:12 Simplifying the Diamond Selection Process
- 35:44 Building the First Website
- 37:09 Starting from Scratch: The eBay Store
- 37:47 Learning the Craft of Jewelry Making
- 39:51 Bootstrapping the Business
- 42:59 Opening the First Showroom
- 45:54 Scaling the Business
- 47:54 The Lab-Grown Unlock
- 57:05 Advice for Aspiring Jewelry Designers
- 59:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts